Re-rating on the cards for SA REIT sector

South Africa’s real estate investment trust (SA REIT) sector is heading for a re-rating; the question is whether the sector will rally this year or next?

Already, the FTSE/JSE SA Listed Property Index (SAPY) is out of 2019’s starting blocks with its strongest January performance in 10-plus years since 2007, outperforming all other asset classes. At the end of January, the SAPY was up 9.17%, well ahead of the FTSE/JSE All Share Index (ALSI) at 2.69%, bonds at 1.7%, and cash at 0.6%.

Wynand Smit, real estate analyst at Anchor Stockbrokers explains that most SA REITs de-rated during 2018. “Should growth expectations start to improve during 2019, the valuations of the SA REITs are compelling,” he says.

A re-rate in the sector would be a big gain for it in 2019 points out Mvula Seroto of Catalyst Fund Managers. “However, this will only be possible if the economic outlook improves, there are positive results from the 2019 general elections, and a reprieve from credit rating agency downgrades.”

Mohamed Kalla, Director and Portfolio Manager at Sesfikile Capital, says, “Being quite conservative in our relative rating and growth expectations, we arrive at a 2019 total return expectation of circa 12% for the FTSE/JSE All Property Index (ALPI). The main driver is the attractive - on a relative and absolute basis - initial forward yield and does not factor in a significant re-rating relative to bonds in 2019. However, our forecasts point to a more stable 2020 growth outlook, which should result in better re-rating potential a year from now.”

Stanlib Analyst and Portfolio Manager Ahmed Motara believes it is too early to call for a material REIT sector rally in 2019 given South African elections, Edcon concerns and possibly lower retailer rentals are issues to be absorbed by the sector this year.

For 2019, Motara anticipates the income return to dominate the total return picture in the REIT sector with 2020 expected to see a return to higher total returns as capital return becomes more evident.

According to Capricorn Fund Managers SA’s Howard Penny, who expects 2019 to be a better year overall for SA REIT returns after a disappointing 2018, the jury is out as to whether the sector could re-rate on a relative valuation level this year. “Given worries surrounding rising global interest rates, perhaps the bounce back may have to wait for 2020.”

Andrea Taverna-Turisan, SA REIT Association Marketing Committee Chairman, notes, “With the cost of equity having increased substantially in South Africa, management teams of local property counters will need to focus on the pure property fundamentals of their organisations to ensure the property sector will become more robust and better positioned to deliver shareholder value over time.”

The SA REIT Association represents South Africa’s R330-billion listed REIT sector. Its members comprise all the country’s listed REITs, which play an essential role in the economy and the lives of South Africans.